REACH Appendix XVII Proposal on Restricting Microplastics
REACH Appendix XVII Proposal on Restricting Microplastics
The European Commission has drafted a draft regulation based on the report of the European Chemicals Agency and the joint opinions of various committees. The first preliminary draft will be released in August 2022.
After discussions between the REACH Committee and EU member states, member states voted in favor of the current proposal by the European Commission in April 2023. Before the restrictions are passed, the European Parliament and Council will review them. After the regulations are announced (expected to take effect in the coming months), some requirements will take effect immediately after they come into effect. For other applications, there is a transition period, which may last for several years in some cases.
According to the current draft, microplastics with a concentration of ≥ 0.01% are not allowed to be marketed as single substances or mixtures. Microplastics refer to plastic particles with a size within the following range: 0.1 μ M to 5 mm; Or 0.3 μ M to 15 mm, longitudinal particles/fibers (length to diameter ratio greater than 3).
Applicable scope
Liquid/gel mixtures containing plastic particles or plastic particles will be affected, for example:
·Cosmetics containing microbeads (such as abrasives used for peeling, polishing, or cleaning)
·Cosmetics containing other microplastics have a transition period of 6 years for "no wash" cosmetics and 4 years for "rinse" cosmetics
·Flash powder for spraying
·Crayon with glitter, neutral pen, chalk
·Finger drawing with glitter
·Flash film mucus
·Polystyrene beads or other polymer beads with a diameter less than 5 millimeters
·Water droplets with a diameter less than 5 millimeters during drying (super absorbent polymer)
Exemption
·Natural polymers, such as cellulose
·Biodegradable polymers, such as flash agents (corresponding testing methods are listed in the appendix. These tests can sometimes take several months)
·Water-soluble polymer
·If microplastics are retained through technical means during use and not released into the environment; For example, EPS beads filled in toys and seat cushions
·If microplastics change during use and are no longer microplastics; For example, a model clay made of plastic particles melts in an oven, and the final shape is no longer defined as microplastics in this regulation
·If microplastics are permanently integrated into the solid matrix during final use
·For example, according to our judgment, this can be glue with glitter or glitter nail polish, which is insoluble in water after hardening
·The draft regulatory text also describes other exemptions for specific applications and situations
Situations outside the scope of application
According to the current understanding of the text of the restriction draft, microplastics in products, such as clothing with glitter or sequins, Christmas ornaments coated with glitter, and other products with glitter particles, are not regulated. They do not belong to substances or mixtures within the meaning of REACH regulations (it should be noted that there are other viewpoints that can be introduced through guidelines). We believe that this also applies to small products made of plastic (less than 5 millimeters), such as beads, paper shaped stars, snowflakes, etc., which are stamped from aluminum foil.
